Celtics falter in home opener

Bucks rally from 22 down in third, take lead in final minute

Associated Press

Associated Press

Published 12:00 am, Saturday, November 2, 2013

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 01: Courtney Lee #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket in front of John Henson #31 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first quarter during the home opener at TD Garden on November 1, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 182407359

Zaza Pachulia had 20 points and nine rebounds, making two free throws with 44 seconds left to give Milwaukee its first lead since the opening basket, and the Bucks rallied from a 22-point third-quarter deficit to beat Boston 105-98 on Friday night.

The loss spoiled the home debut of new Celtics coach Brad Stevens and dampened the cheer following the Red Sox victory in the World Series. Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner took the court before the game with the World Series trophy, and Hall of Famer Bill Russell was also courtside a few hours after a statue of him was unveiled near City Hall.

John Henson had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Bucks, who scored the last 10 points of the game.

Vitor Faverani scored 12 points with 18 rebounds for Boston.

Nets 101, Heat 100: Paul Pierce and Joe Johnson scored 19 points each, and Brooklyn ended years of futility against Miami and sent the NBA champion to its first losing streak in 10 months. Pierce and Johnson both hit two free throws in the final seconds as the Heat were trying to pull off a comeback. Instead, they fell to 1-2 and have dropped consecutive games for the first time since Jan. 8 and 10. The Heat got Dwyane Wade back after he missed Wednesday's loss in Philadelphia, and he scored 21 points. LeBron James led Miami with 26. The Nets ended a 13-game skid against the Heat with their first victory since March 20, 2009, before Miami's Big Three got together and when the Nets were still playing in East Rutherford, N.J. — two homes ago.

76ers 109, Wizards 102: Thaddeus Young scored 29 points, rookie Michael Carter-Williams had 14 points and five assists, and Philadelphia is a surprising 2-0 after rallying from a 12-point second-half deficit.